Noctis

After a long time of convincing Katrina to take us to the Underworld, she finally caves. I reminded her that is she helps us get Ash out, I will help her find Maria. We all stand close together and we all seem to take a deep breath at the same time. If this situation wasn't serious, I would have chuckled. Everything goes black around us before we appear in a cave looking hallway.

There seems to be a red glow coming from the rock that covers the walls and ceiling. The floor is a thin layer of dirt. I look at my friends around me and they are looking at me in a way that asks 'what now'? I guess I didn't think this all the way through.

"Katrina, can you feel where he is down here?" I wonder.

"No, this place is dark and evil, it dampers my powers," Katrina answers.

I nod and think for a moment. None of us can mindlink each other which means we shouldn't split up.

"I guess we will just have to look around and hope we don't get caught," I tell them and they nod hesitantly. "Katrina, when we find them will you be able to get us out of here?"

"Yes, I can do that. I will need to save my energy and magic though."

I nod and we start moving through the quiet, dim halls. We are lucky enough to go ten minutes without running into anyone. I have taken the lead and I go to turn the corner before I back up quickly into the group.

"What is it?" Callum whispers lowly.

"Demons over there," I whisper back, pointing a finger towards the corner.

Everyone goes silent as we listen for footsteps, hoping they go away from where we are standing. I release the breath I was holding as the footsteps grow farther away and disappear down the hall. I peer around the corner to see it empty. I make a motion with my hand for the group to follow and I hear someone mumbling down the hall. We stop walking and I listen closely to what they are talking about.

"Why are we even here? They are locked up behind an enchanted door," a woman groans.

"Because Keres doesn't want them escaping. If they escape, they will warn the True Alpha. You know that."

"She is just going to get us all killed. I don't know why we all follow her anymore. She has lost it," the girl whispers.

"I know, but who will help us overthrow her? We aren't strong enough against her," the man states.

"Caine would be or the Alpha she tried to kill."

"You know Caine won't help us unless he gets something in return and the Alpha is god knows where. No one has mentioned seeing her on the surface."

The conversation stops and silence befalls the room once more. So that is where Ash is being held. How do we get by those guards? They seem to not like Keres, maybe they will let me in. I turn to the group.

"I am going to try to get in to get Ash. You guys wait here. If I am not back in fifteen minutes or you get caught, leave. Okay?" I whisper to them.

They all nod except Callum. "I am coming with you," Callum states.

"It isn't safe Callum."

"I don't care, I am coming."

I sigh and say okay. I head in the direction of the guards with Callum beside me. Once we round the corner, the two guards snap their heads towards us and the draw their swords.

"Who are you?" The man asks.

"State you business," the woman demands.

"I am here to take my friend back to the surface and you need to let me do so," I tell them.

"Who are you?" The man repeats.

"Noctis Kilo and this is my beta Callum."

The two demons look at each other and then back to me, "The True Alpha?" The woman wonders.

"Yes, now I need to get Ash to take him home."

"I don't know, we will get in big trouble..." the woman tells us.

"We understand and we also understand that you need help to take out Keres and I can help with that, but not right now. Right now I need to get my friend back to his pack."

"What about the other two?" The man questions.

"What?" I ask.

"The other two prisoners, are you taking them as well?"

"I didn't realize there were others. Yes, we would like to take them back to the surface as well."

The two look at each other and they lower their swords before putting them back into their hilts. They hesitantly turn to the door and unlock it. They hand me a key and tell us to head in. Once inside I walk to my right and look in every cell I see. They are all empty and the doors are open. Where could they be? Damn, I wish Mara was here right now, she would know where to go.

"Look, there," Callum says, pointing to the other end of the hall.

I follow his gesture with my eyes and see a door at the other end of the long hallway. I jog up to the door and fumble with the key until it finally turns the lock. Once unlocked, I slowly turn the door and push it fully open. Inside I see nothing but three open cells. I am about to give up when I smell something familiar; however, I can't put my finger on it. Before I can investigate, a roughed up looking Ash walks out in a defensive stance. Once he realizes it's me, he relaxes and runs up to me to embrace me in a tight hug.

"It's so good to see you," Ash sighs into the crook of my neck. I no longer feel the sparks of a mate's touch with him anymore. I no longer smell that intoxicating scent of his. I really hope he finds his second chance.

"Ready to blow this popsicle stand," I smirk.

"About damn time," he laughs.

"You remember Callum right?" Ash nods, "I need you to go with him back to the group."

"What about you?" Ash asks with worry.

"I will be right behind you guys. I just need to check something. Callum, the time is almost up so move fast."

Callum nods and then takes ahold of Ash's arm before dragging him out of the room. Ash isn't going willingly, he is trying to wiggle from Callum's grip but can't seem to free himself. He  looks at me with pleading eyes but I break eye contact.

I look at the room fully once they leave. I sniff the air and smell a witch. It can't be. Can it?

"Maria?" I call out.

A woman, my friend, pills her head around the bars of the last cell. Her eyes widen when she sees me before she runs up to me to give me a bone crushing hug.

"You really came! We thought Keres killed you!" Maria exclaims.

"What? Why would you think that?" I wonder.

"Well, Caine told Ash that you were probably dead because Keres takes away the will to live from her targets so when she kills them, they will let her. How are you still here?"

"Well, it turns out that I am a True Alpha and I fully emerged that day before she tried to kill me. I thought I killed her and I'm not sure how she is still alive after that."

"She is a very powerful being, she probably had a protection spell."

I nod in agreement, "Let's get you out of here. My friends will be leaving any minute now. Incase we get separated, we turn left to leave the cells and then a right out of that door. Just around the corner is where they are waiting."

I turn towards the door before Maria says, "Wait! I have someone I bet you want to see."

I look at her confused before she walks back into the cell she was in. I listen to what she is saying.

"Sweetie, wake up." I here a groan, "There is someone here I bet you want to see."

There is silence before I hear shuffling in the cell. Maria peeks her head out and tells me, "Don't freak out. I will explain everything once we get out of here."

"What are you..." I am cut off when a pup runs up to me and hugs my legs tightly.

I look up at Maria with tears in my eyes. The only reason Maria would tell me to stay calm is if...if this little pup is...

"I missed you so much mommy," Braden tells me and my tears start to fall.

I kneel on the ground and embrace him in a big hug. I can't believe my eyes right now. His jet black hair and green eyes that resemble myself. His small frame and his faint scent. I can't believe it. How is this possible? I saw him die. I will be forever grateful to have him in my arms once again.

My son is alive.